North York parks give residents plenty of ways to get outside without leaving the city, from wooded ravine trails and formal gardens to picnic areas, sports fields and wide-open green space.

If you are looking for North York parks to explore this fall, these local favourites offer very different experiences.

Earl Bales Park is one of the strongest all-around choices for walking and fall colour.

The City of Toronto highlights its trails through deciduous forest, where maples, oaks and ash create an especially colourful setting in autumn.

The park is also well known for its ski hill and recreation facilities, making it a green space that changes character with the seasons.

For gardens rather than forest trails, Edwards Gardens at 755 Lawrence Avenue East is one of North York's most distinctive outdoor destinations.

Its landscaped uplands include perennials and roses, while the valley includes wildflowers, rhododendrons and rockery.

It is a particularly good option when you want a slower walk, photography or an easy outing paired with the neighbouring Toronto Botanical Garden.

G. Ross Lord Park at 4801 Dufferin Street offers a different mix.

The park has more than four kilometres of trails as well as cricket pitches, soccer fields, picnic sites, ponds and a fenced dog off-leash area.

Its accessible trails and wildlife habitat make it useful for walkers, bird watchers and families who want more room to explore.

Sunnybrook Park is another large North York green space with trails, sports areas and picnic opportunities, and it connects visitors with the Don Valley landscape.

For people comparing parks in North York Toronto, the best choice really depends on the outing.

Choose Earl Bales for wooded trails and fall colour, Edwards Gardens for landscaped scenery, G. Ross Lord for longer walks and recreation, or Sunnybrook when you want broad parkland and Don Valley access.

Fall is an especially good time to explore because North York's ravines and deciduous forests begin changing colour while temperatures are still comfortable for longer walks.

Conditions, construction and facility availability can change, so check the City of Toronto's park information before making a special trip.

As North York Shoutouts expands its local guides, we will keep covering trails, playgrounds, picnic spots, dog-friendly spaces and seasonal outdoor activities across the community.